Folding umbrella



July 18, 1950 J. BUONO 2,515,493

FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed Aug. 26, 1949 I v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. Joseph Baum I! may July 18, 1950 J. BUONO FOLDING UMBRELLA Filed Aug. 26, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VEN TOR,

difornf'y Patented July 18, 1950 UNITED STAT S PATENT 1 OFFICE,

- 2,515,49s,' FOLDING UMBRELLA 1 v I Josephl BuonoQJamaica, NZ'Y. ApplicationAugust 26, 1949, Serial No..112,456

j was rel. 135-46).

1 e This invention relatesto folding or collapsible umbrellas, and particularly to the type in which the umbrella stick is composed of two telescopic sections, and the ribs are foldable, to thereby reduce the size of the umbrella and enable it to be conveniently carried. v l

An object of the invention is to provide improved and simplified means by which the telescopic relationship and adjustment of the two sections of the stick maybe easily and conveniently had, and by a simplified means unlikely to get out of order and'be well able to withstand the uses and abuse-to which an article of this character is likely to be subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved detent means for positioning an inner slidable rod, forming a part of the umbrella stick, at a plurality of definite positions, thereby holding the rod in an extended position, in a position in which it is completely. housed in the outer tube of the stick andin a position to enable it to engage the ribs in either folded or open position to thereby hold the umbrella either closed or folded and closed. I c

Still another object of the invention is, to provide a detent member in the form of a single, continuous, lengthy spring wire member of great strength and flexibility, said member by its engagement with the rod, while the same is in one or the other of its telescoping positions with respect to the outer tube, securely and positively engaging said rod and retaining it in the desired positions in which it may be located-by the umbrella user. a

These and other. objects are attained. by-ji-thea front elevation of the outer; tube with the; spring removed; Fig. 4 is a yertical' sectionalview through the outer" tube, showing the spring in place therein; Fig. is. a'vertical sectional view through the rod, with ,the knob'thereon shown in section; Fig. 6 shows the-relative posi-.

tions of the partsof: the stickiwhen-therodlisin its fully extended position, andnFig. 'Tshows the relative positions of-the :partswh'en theirodris telescoped within the tube to an extent necessary to cause the knob to engage and retain the tip ends of the ribs of the umbrella.

.Referring to the drawings, l indicates generally,;the stick of the umbrella, the .same consisting of three main elements, namely, anouter tube 2 constituting the upper portion of the stick, an inner tubular rod 3 forming the lower .end portion or the stick, and the spring or detent member 4 normally housed within and covered by the tube 2 and most clearly seen in Fig. 4. Near its upper end, the tube 2 is providedwith an annular stop or collar 5 to limit the upward sliding movement of the tubular runner 6, the latter being of known construction. Said runner is provided with the retaining ring Ito which one end v of the rib braces 8 are attached. The opposite ends of the rib braces. 8 ,are each pivotally attached at 9 to the clip Ifl secured on the rib II which is pivotally attached at one end to the ring 12 secured to a sleeve I3 which is frictionally or otherwise fitted at the top part of the tube 2 and is threaded at. M to threadably receive a tip oiconventional form, not shown. Theportion of the rib indicated at H in Fig. 1 is the inner section'of the rib, said part being pivotally attached at IE to an outer rib part l5 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This is not shown in' detail since it is well known construction and is widely used in collapsible or foldable umbrellas.

Located within the outer tube -2 and carried by the same isthe spring or detent member 4. The member l consists of a lengthy section of so-called piano wire. It is thus of extreme springiness and flexibility. Provided at one end, or-that located'at the upper end of the stick I, is a lateral or offset portion I! on the spring 4 which projects through a slot l8 formed in the side Wall-of the body of the tube 2 adjacent to the .upperendof the tube. Onthe sp fing 4 at a relatively short distance below; said offset end.-l' l'. is-formed anoutwardly-distorted part I9 constituting'a'detent or catch for the runner, and which-projects through a slot20 formedin the side' wallof the tube-Zropposite to that side of the ,wall in which the upper slot I8: is formed. Near its lower end, the spring 4 is formed with an outwardly distorted part'2l constituting a detent protruding through a slot 22 in; the side w.a1lof,the tube.2- and located directly below and in verticalalignment with the upper slot 18.

The shapeandformation of the spring 4 is such that when the same is placed within the tube 2 it is 5 under; flexure. or tension and its tendency ,is *:f01ice the detents l9 and 2 lout through their slots and 22, and to also urge the offset end I! out of the slot l8. The normal position of the spring 4 when in place in the tube 2 is that shown in Fig. 4.

The inner tubular rod 3 is most clearly seen in Fig. 5, wherein it will be noted that the same threadably receives the knob or handle 23 at one end. At its other or upper end it is provided with a downwardly-extending notch 24 intended for engagement with the detent portion 2| of the spring 4 when the rod 3 is pulled out of the tube 2 to the limit of separation of the rod and tube, or as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted that directly below the inner end of the notch is provided an outwardly-extending annular bead or rib 25, which, when brought into contact with an annular inwardly directed rib 23 near the lower end of the tube 2, limits the extent of outward movement of the rod 3 from within the tube 2. It is to be further noted that when the notch 24 engages the detent portion 2| of the spring, such engagement of these parts prevents rotative movement of the rod 3 within the tube 2, which is desirable, particularly when the parts of the stick are in the extended position above described.

Relatively near to its lower end, the rod'3 is formed with grooves 21 and 28 resulting in the production of inwardly-extending stop-ribs within the rod for a purpose to be described.

When the umbrella is in its open position, or when the rod 3 is drawn to its limit outward of the tube 2, the parts are in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 6. That is to say, the rod 3 has been drawn out of the tube 2 until the bead has come into contact with the stop rib 26, and the notch 24 is in engagement with the detent portion 2!. The runner 6 has been manually slid along the stick to its elevated position until the upper end of the runner has come into contact with the collar 5, at which time a slot 30 formed in the lower portion of the runner is brought into engagement with the detent portion H! of the spring 4. The tendency of the runner is to exert adownward force upon the detent portion l9, and since the spring may be forced downwardly due to its retaining end ll being located in the elongated slot l8, this force is transmitted to the lower end portion of the spring 4, holding the detent 2i thereat resiliently in engagement with the notch 24, thus taking up any looseness or play at this point and maintaining the two sections 2 and 3 of the stick together as a rigid unitary structure.

When it is desired to close the umbrella, the detent I9 is pressed inwardly by the finger so that the runner 6 may be slid downwardly along the stick in the known manner until thesame rides over the detent 2i and the slot 30 of the runner engages the latter detent. As the runner slides over the detent 2| is forces the same inwardly, thus freeing it from its engagement with the notch 24 in the end of the rod 3. At this time, a manual pressure imposed upon the knob or'handle 23 will enable the rod to be slid inwardly or telescoped into the tube 2 to an extent desired. If it is desired to maintain the umbrella in a, closed position with the ribs extended to full length, the rod is pushed into the tube 2 to the extent indicated in Fig. 7, or until the detent 2| resiliently engages against an inner rib or bead shown at 3| and formed near the upper end of the rod 3 a short distance below the outwardlyformed bead 25. This movement is sufficient to cause the tips of the umbrella ribs to enter into 4 the cavity 32 provided in the knob or handle 23 and be held against outward spread.

If it is desired to completely collapse the umbrella and maintain it in such position with the ribs folded upon themselves, the rod 3 is then telescoped to a greater extent within the tube 2 by the imposition of sufficient force to cause the rib 3| to slide past the detent 2|, the spring 4 now fitting within the rod 3 as the rod slides inwardly within the tube 2. Inward sliding movement of the rod 3 will be halted when the detent 2| reaches the inwardly-extending rib 21. The ribs are then folded closely toward the stick, and then to confine the ends of the folded ribs, shown at 33 in Fig. 2, within the cavity 32 of the handle, the knob or handle 23 is given a slight additional push, which brings the rib 21 past the detent 2! until the second rib, shown at 28 is reached by the detent. At this time, the upper end of the rod 3 has reached the offset end I! of the spring and the limit of telescoping movement of the rod Within the tube '2 has been reached. This position is shown in Fig. 2, wherein it will be noted that the pivot-ends of the ribs have entered the cavity of the knob 01 handle and are housed therein and the folded ribs are thus held against outward spread.

To extend the stick merely requires the outward pull of the rod v3 to its limit as shown in Fig. 6. If the notch 24 has become misaligned from the detent 2| and does not immediately click into engagement with the same, a slight turning movement of the rod 3 within the tube 2 will at once cause the proper engagement of the detent with the notch. When the stick is thus extended, the runner may be slid upwardl and the umbrella raised andused in the known manner.

It will be noted that with the construction presented, a locking engagement of the rod and tube at the various locations required, maintaining the umbrella in its open, closed, and closedand-folded positions is attained, and that these results are secured by the use of a single detent member, namely a single, lengthy, highly springy wire, which is capable of great distortion and flexure without breaking or becoming inoperative. The spring is inserted by simply flexing it to an extent to enable it to enter the tube 2 and have its oilset end I! brought into engagement with the slot 18. No other fastening means is required, and the Sliding and telescopic movement of the parts 2 and 3 of the stick are smoothly and easily performed.

Having described one embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A folding umbrella comprising a stick composed of an outer tube and an inner rod, the rod sliding telescopically within the outer tube, the tube being provided with a plurality of spaced slots, a detent member in the form of an elongated spring wire contained within the outer tube and provided with projecting parts entering said slots and protruding laterally of the outer surface of the tube, the rod being hollow and slidable over the spring for the greater portion of the length of the spring, said rod moving said projecting parts from out the slots as the rod is slidably moved over the spring.

2. A folding umbrella including a stick composed of an upper, outer tube, a tubular rod slidable telescopically within the tube, a detent memher in the for-m of an elongated wire spring located within the tube, said spring having an offset end, the tube being provided with a slot in its side wall near the top of the tube for the reception of said offset end, the spring having a pair of laterally distorted parts forming upper and lower detents, the tube having slots through which said detents normally protrude, the upper one of said detents constituting a runner-retaining element for holding the runner in raised position, the a:

lower detent constituting means for engagement with the upper end of the rod when the rod is extended out of the tube, the upper end of the rod being provided with a notch for engagement with the lower detent when the rod. is in said extended position.

3. In a folding umbrella as provided for in claim 2, wherein the detent member is maintained within the tube by the engagement of the ofiset end thereof with the slot in the tube near the upper end of said tube, said slot permitting downward extension of the detent member under pressure of the runner to cause the lower detent to befirmly engaged with the notch in the upper end of the rod.

4. A folding umbrella including a stick composed of an upper, outer tube, a tubular rod slidable telescopically within the tube, a detent member in the form of an elongated wire spring located within the tube, said wire being received in the rod for the greater portion of its length when the rod is telescoped to its limit within the tube, said spring having an offset upper end, the tube being provided with an elongated slot in its side wall near the top of the tube for the reception of said offset end, the spring having a pair of laterally distorted parts forming upper and lower detents, the tube having spaced slots through which said detents normally protrude, the upper one of said detents constituting a runner-retaining element for holding the runner of the umbrella in raised position, the lower detent constituting means for engagement with the upper end of the rod when'the rod is extended out of the tube, the upper end of the rod being provided with a notch for engagement with the latter detent when the rod is in said extenden position.

5. A folding umbrella including a stick composed of an outer tube and a rod slidable within the same, a spring composed of an elongated bent wire located within the tube, means at one end of the spring for engagement with the tube to hold the spring against displacement but permitting limited longitudinal movement of the same relative to the tube, detent portions formed on the spring, slots in the tube through which said detent portions protrude, and projecting elements on the rod for engagement with at least one of the detents to hold the rod and tube in several different positions of telescopic relationship.

6. A folding umbrella as provided for in claim 5, wherein the means at one end of the spring consists of an offset end part, the tube being provided with a slot through which said offset part extends, one of the detent portions consisting of a runner catch, the second detent portion being adapted to interengage with the end of the rod when the rod is drawn to its fullest extent out of the tube, said end of the rod being formed with a notch for engagement with the latter detent portion.

7. A folding umbrella including a stick composed of an outer tube and an inner rod, said rod being tubular and being slidable within the tube, a spring composed of an elongated section of wire located within the tube, means at the upper end of the spring for engagement with the tube for holding the spring against longitudinal displacement. but permitting restricted longitudinal movement of the spring, detent portions provided on the spring, the tube having slots in its side wall through which said detent portions normally protrude, stop elements provided on the rod for engagement with said detent portions to locate the rod at various positions of telescopic relationship with respect to the tube, the rod having a notch provided in its upper end for engagement with one or said detents when the rod is fully extended out of the tube.

8. A folding umbrella including a stick composed of an outer tube and an imier tubular rod, said rod being slidable within the tube, a spring composed of an elongated section of wire located within the tube, a laterally-bent end at the upper end of the spring for engagement with the tube for holding the spring against longitudinal displacement, the tube having a slot for receiving said laterally bent end, said slot permitting restricted longitudinal movement of the spring, detent portions provided at spaced points on the spring, the tube having a plurality of spaced slots in its side well through which said detent portions normally protrude, stop elements provided on the rod for engagement with at least one of said detent portions to locate the rod at various positions of telescopic relationship with respect to the tube, the rod having a notch provided in its upper end for engagement with the detent most remote from the bent end when the rod is fully extended out of the tube.

9. In a foldable umbrella, a stick composed of an outer tube and a tubular rod telescopic within the outer tube, an elongated wire spring located within and maintained by the tube, said spring having spaced detent portions, the tube having slots in its side wall through which said detent portions protrude, the spring having a laterallybent upper end, the tube having a slot near its upper end through which said laterally-bent part of the spring extends, the rod being slidable within the tube to enclose all of the spring except the laterally-bent end portion thereof when the rod is inserted to its limit within the tube, said rod when so inserted causing the detent portions of the spring to be moved out of their slots, the rod being provided in its upper end with a notch for the reception of one of said detents when the rod is fully extended out of the tube, and stop means on the rod for engagement by the latter detent to hold the rod in several positions of telescoped relationship with respect to the tube.

' JOSEPH BUO-NO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 886,078 Rugg Apr. 28, 1908 1,117,365 Frisk et al Nov. 17, 1914 2,150,971 I-Ieilmann et al. Mar. 21, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 768,871 France May 28, 1934 

